http://iworry.org/action/ More signatures
are welcome. Newborn elephant calves at these four UK zoos will be trained to
perform for the public through the fear of an ankus unless we, as the UK public,
call for better treatment of captive elephants

China’s rich cultural and traditional history spans thousands of years and
now China is fast becoming a recognized and dominating super economic power,
with its citizens enjoying a high standard of living as the result of economic
and social progress.

However, with great success comes great responsibility, and as a global
citizen, I am truly shocked and appalled to learn about the cruelty and
suffering currently being inflicted upon the helpless companion animals, namely
dogs and cats, of Yulin, killed during the annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

This medieval way of treating animals sits at complete odds with how China
has progressed as a society in recent years. This is not about cultural
differences this is about the most basic of ethics and about treating animals
with compassion.

It’s plain to see that the practices carried out at Yulin represent a new
low for China. Those animals we choose to be our working companions, our eyes
when we are blind, our guardians of the family home, to share our food and to be
our best friends for hundreds of years are suffering and are being slaughtered
in the most monstrous of ways.

There are many videos on YouTube to evidence this, although they are not
easy to watch.

Despite how you feel about eating any animal, no living, sentient being
should be abused or tortured for any reason, and no right-minded person can
rationally argue otherwise. Dogs and cats suffer unspeakable horrors at the
hands of farmers, traders and butchers – beaten, torched with fire, boiled
alive, etc. Not all these animals are “farmed” – many are beloved, stolen
pets.

The medieval treatment of companion animals in Yulin provides a cruel
contrast to the slick, sophisticated, modern image that China tries so hard to
portray to the outside world.

Until Yulin and the Chinese government officials begin to legitimately and
aggressively police, enact and enforce the companion animal protection laws as a
first step in ending this shameful industry, I will be protesting for the tens
of thousands of suffering, neglected and abused companion animals living lives
of utter misery and pain unto death throughout Yulin and other cities that
supply these animals to Yulin.

They cannot speak for themselves which is why I am writing on their behalf.

I believe that your city wishes to be made aware of this ongoing issue, and
not want to be affiliated with a city where illegal and immoral torture is being
carried out on any animal, and particularly not on those that are loyal,
trusting and sentient creatures, which look up to us humans as being their
guardians.

These illegal trades are still being allowed to continue by Korean
authorities – even though there is a large growing opposition from pet owners
across South Korea, and throughout the world.

So, I am asking you to please speak with your counterparts in Gyeongju,
especially Mayor Yang-Sik Choi, to urge them to enforce their own laws, not
ignore them, and to show compassion towards their companion animals, and respect
to their own citizens, by bringing these brutal trades finally to an end!

With the Winter Olympics coming up in 2018, this is the time to make
change; this is the time to stop the illegal, inhumane and unnecessary cruelty.

I know that South Korea has many beautiful, admirable and noble practices
and customs worth preserving, but this is not one of them.

Thank you for your time and understanding.

Please let me know how you feel about this so often concealed subject,
thank you.